StyleWatch: skirts, suspenders & sunglasses

SCHOOL GIRL CHIC STILL IN STYLE: Social Science student Summer Foo looks sweet but sexy in plaid.

Girl Style

Name: Summer Fu

Program: ACS/Social Science

Year: 2nd

Pictured in attire much resembling that of a Catholic school girl, this student's style is anything but uniform. Summer Fu describes her sense of fashion as "untraditional," and even "hip-hop" at times.

She admits she has a number of short skirts in her closet, declaring them to be her favourite type of clothing. She also has a variety of hats on hand. However, while Summer is relatively impressed by the women's fashion on campus, she is less enthused by the unexciting dress of the male students.

Guy Style

Name: Max Kosc

Program: Social Science

Year: 3rd

Though the social science faculty fought hard to reintroduce aviators this O-Week, Max stands out by opting for a pair of funky white sunglasses instead.

Favouring U.S. apparel hot spots, such as Melrose in L.A., over typical Canadian shops, Max describes his style as "Tom White meets Dolce & Gabbana."

His favourite clothing items include suspenders and glasses, but, by far, his essential wardrobe item is his pair of brown pants. Like Summer, Max is unimpressed by Western fashion, summing it up in a single word: "typical."

Guy Style

Though the social science faculty fought hard to reintroduce aviators this O-Week, Max stands out by opting for a pair of funky white sunglasses instead.

Favouring U.S. apparel hot spots, such as Melrose in L.A., over typical Canadian shops, Max describes his style as "Tom White meets Dolce & Gabbana."

His favourite clothing items include suspenders and glasses, but, by far, his essential wardrobe item is his pair of brown pants. Like Summer, Max is unimpressed by Western fashion, summing it up in a single word: "typical."

- Rachel Cartwright

Author:Gazette Staff

Violet Archers add their vibe to Canadian musicTim Vesley of the Rheostatics talks about his personal project

Forget Velvet Revolver and other "super groups" made up of members from other bands - now Canada has its own artist amalgamation to present. With five members from established indie bands, the Violet Archers are poised to become the new Canadian indie super group.

Led by Tim Vesley, writer and multi-instrumentalist for the Rheostatics, the Violet Archers produce the kind of melodic pop-rock that transfixes you into a nostalgic state of auditory delight.

Other band members include singer and pianist Ida Nilsen of both Great Aunt Ida and the Buttless Chaps; drummer Steve Pitkin of The Flashing Lights and Elliott Brood; and bassist Aaron MacPherson and guitarist Yawd Sylvester of Toronto's Wayne Omaha.

The Violet Archers' new album, The End of Part One, features a collective sound Vesley describes as "hopefully a little bit varied, and I would say mellow... but we also get a little rock in at times."

Vesley formed the Violet Archers as a new vehicle for artistic expression, choosing musicians he had previously collaborated with. First he chose Pitkin, who had previously performed with the Rheostatics.

"Then it was more of a case of me just thinking about the bands I like the most," Vesley says. "I called up the guys from Wayne Omaha . . . and Ida from Buttless Chaps and Great Aunt Ida. They all said they'd do it so it was pretty cool. I'm pretty lucky."

The End of Part One consists of well-crafted pop songs that hook you deep into the Violet Archers' universe of unassuming charm. A perfect example is "Life and Then," which showcases dazzling harmonies and puts some pep in your step without being too saccharine.

The Archers are a departure from Vesley's position as a member of Canada's famed critical darlings, the Rheostatics. Not everyone on campus is into Canada's indie scene enough to recognize the iconic status of the band, but since forming two decades ago, the Rheostatics have toured the country countless times and collaborated with other notable Canadian musicians such as Sarah Harmer.

Rheo fans need not fret - Vesley's creation of the Violet Archers doesn't signify the end of the band. "[The Rheostatics] are not really on hold," Vesley explains. "We're always constantly doing other stuff and the Rheos are never really a full-time, full-on thing."

Rather, the Violet Archers are more of a personal project for Vesley. "This definitely gave me an opportunity for the first time to express my music the way I hear it in my head as opposed to the way I collaboratively arrange it with three other guys."

"The jumping off point for me to sort of point me in the direction of making my own record was hearing Hayden's second last record, Skyscraper National Park. Something about the sound of it and the songs; I thought they sounded great, a really personal expression and I just sort of realized that it's something that I'd like to do - get myself across on my own record."

Vesley has been a proud participant in the Canadian music scene, long before Spin declared the maple leaf hip.

"I've always thought it's cool to be a Canadian musician and usually most of the music I listen to, and not by design or anything, ends up being by Canadian artists. We're pretty lucky that we live here and get to find out about all these great artists because people in other countries only hear about one or two acts."

Vesley is excited to hit the road this fall and share a bill with bandmate Ida Nilsen and her current band, Great Aunt Ida.

"I had [Nilsen] record a few vocals on the record a while ago, early on before I even knew or heard her own band. Along the way she gave me a copy of her record, which came out in July," he says.

"She blew me away. I just love [her record] and it's one of my favourite records of the year. Ideally, I thought it would be great to tour with her band and get her to play and sing with the Violet Archers."

The Violet Archers and Great Aunt Ida perform tonight at the Embassy. Tickets are $10.

Author:Gazette Staff

Swans on indie radio

If you were raised by glamorous, water-bound fowl, what would you do with your life?

You might form an indie-rock band with open-ended lyrics and relaxing melodies, and go by the name Raised by Swans. Despite not actually having been raised by swans, the band has managed to become such a group of artists. Its debut album, Codes and Secret Longing, has taken college radio by storm.

Raised by Swans consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Eric Howden, harmony vocalist and guitarist Chris Donais, and drummer Brody Darr. As well, band producer Andy Magoffin contributes bass while the band is on tour. Magoffin has produced such acts as Royal City, the Hidden Cameras and the up-and-coming Constantines, along with his own band, the Two Minute Miracles.

Howden encourages people to interpret Raised by Swans' sound as they want. "Once you define a sound, you exclude people immediately," he said.

However, people have still drawn comparisons to the Cure, Interpol, Snow Patrol and Keane. Howden is honoured to be compared to such acts.

Howden's music, the bulk of which is written in his tiny, "submarinish" apartment, is also heavily influenced by literature. Howden is an obsessive reader, owning "hundreds and hundreds of books." He even credits one of his favourite authors, Paul Auster, as an honorary member of the band.

As for the state of today's music, Howden believes, "Modern rock stations blow due to [their] monotonous sound, while campus radio stations will jump from one sound to another."

Still, Howden thinks the music world may have a brighter horizon, as popular radio stations have recently added indie bands like the Arcade Fire and the Stars to their regular rotation.

"Making music isn't about making money," Howden notes. "Making music means to expect to be broke, and anything else is a bonus."

Raised By Swans' goal, like many other bands, is to transcend a genre and not to simply ride the coattails of a popular trend. They are just happy to be playing music and do not plan on making any compromises in the near future. Appropriately, Raised By Swans has its own record label, 1101, allowing the band to maintain its artistic integrity and freedom.

So, the 64-thousand dollar question is: why should you check out Raised By Swans? "The live show is raw, dynamic, and more powerful," Howden assures.

Raised By Swans plays at Call the Office this Saturday, Sept. 26. The shows starts at 10 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Author:Gazette Staff

IN BRIEF

Are you a tall, strong performer with an athletic build? Are you open-minded and ready to explore a variety of performance styles? Do you have strong drumming skills? Have you ever wanted to paint your head entirely blue? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this is a perfect opportunity for you!

The acclaimed Blue Man Group is holding open call auditions in search of enthusiastic Canadian performers. The Blue Man Group is accompanied by a live band, and the casting department is looking for drummers, guitarists, and bassists (specifically those who play with a pick).

Those interested must travel to Toronto on Wednesday, Sept. 28. Auditions are at the Panasonic Theatre, located at 651 Yonge St., from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you are unable to attend the casting calls visit www.bluemancasting.com, where you can also submit your headshot and/or resumé.

- Marissa Rether

Author:Gazette Staff

ON DISC

Various Artists

Bonnaroo Music Festival 2004

Sanctuary Records

If you like... Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson

Kick-ass tracks: "Dialog Box," "Down Along the Cove"

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Tennessee's distinctive camping and music experience, the Bonnaroo Music Festival has been in effect since 2002. The festival has generated a reputation as a peaceful celebration of grassroots rock, as well as jazz, electronica, and hip-hop.

The Bonnaroo 2004 double-disk compilation offers a survey of some of the more celebrated acts, chosen from over 90 participants. Bob Dylan kicks off the more acoustic-rock intensive "This Disc" with the bluegrass-influenced "Down Along the Cove," followed by fellow headliners Dave Matthews & Friends with the improvisational "Trouble."

Trey Anastasio, of Phish fame, pilots "That Disc" with some latin-inspired grooves, setting the stage for former Talking Head David Byrne. Other noteworthy additions are singer-songwriter Damien Rice, and indie goddess Ani DiFranco.

The album offers a balanced mix of veteran and up-and-coming acts, each with a diverse sound. If you have an eclectic taste in music and are looking for something unconventional, this album will prove to be a satisfying addition to your collection.

Anorexic Idol 2005:The Twiggy diet trend returns

It seems fashion trends and movie plots aren't the only things celebrity society recycles: there is also the pesky trend of maintaining a waif weight.

Every generation has a new toothpick chick to worship. The '60s had the aptly nicknamed Twiggy, the '90s had the light-as-a-feather Kate Moss, and today's youth has double the fun with wispy wonders Mary Kate and Ashley.

Like heroin and the hairtrocious mullet, the "diet 'til you drop" trend is one thing that leaves you wondering what the hell is wrong with society.

Didn't Hollywood receive the memo about how disgusting and dangerous it is to waste away? Did no one mention to these teen queens how much hotter they looked when they had curves, and weighed more than a tiny titmouse?

It is obvious many people aspire to be thin, but looking like a skeleton is completely different than appearing fit and healthy. It's sad to see someone as beautiful as Lindsay Lohan lose her curvaceously mean edge, just so she can look like a sickly Paris Hilton clone.

The key to looking beautiful is not liquid lunches and starve wars, but simply being healthy and happy. Hollywood has always been hung up on appearances, but it should emphasize working out and eating right - as opposed to not eating at all.

While the idolization of anorexic artists is a constantly criticized trend, it's sad to see that this condemnation has so little an effect.

It seems everywhere I go, everyone is evaporating into nothing. Every day I walk across campus, I see another once-perfectly beautiful girl now looking gaunt and ghoulish.

While I, like a zillion other girls around the world, find myself wishing I was thinner, or at least looked a little slimmer, I am still amazed people find being underweight an attractive trend to follow. After all, it looks (almost) as ugly as a mullet, and it sure as hell isn't much healthier than a heroin habit, so what's the cause of confusion?

It's time for teens to stop taking tabs on which celebrity is skinnier than the last, and start recognizing just how disgusting this "turn into a twig" movement is. Maybe if kids start kicking this crappy trend in its annoyingly anorexic ass, celebrities will realize looking like bags of bones is so not sexy, and decide to return to their curvy - and totally hot - selves.

Author:Gazette Staff

IN BRIEF

Western students can take a break from frozen dinners by checking out downtown's newest feasthouses.

This weekend, the cleverly-titled Thai restaurant Thaifoon, opens its doors to serve up some sumptuous meals. The name alone is reason enough to check it out.

Located just minutes away from the John Labatt Centre at 167 Dundas St., Thaifoon's menu is separated into four categories: "land," "water," "temptations," and "concoctions."

Those hoping to impress a date by flashing some cash can expect to pay for a semi-pricey meal. While it has the expected assortment of Thai food, the restaurant also serves unique culinary delights like "jasmine scented rice" and "coconut glazed chicken satay."

If you're looking for a more traditional, comfortable atmosphere, walk a little further and check out London's first real English pub, Oxford Arms.

People are raving about the pub's "Forest Fatboy" steak sandwich and "Haddock and Chips." With 14 draught beers from around the world, there won't be room left for the frilly, colourful drinks you see at less-relaxed cocktail bars.

Other recent additions to the downtown restaurant scene include Ming's Chinese Buffet, and Zen Gardens, an Asian vegetarian restaurant.